Yej Jawaani Hai Deewani is set for historic opening at multiplexes. The film had a fantastic advance at multiplexes which started advance on Monday and the same is expected today when advance opens at large. A multiplex like E – Square UR in Pune saw the first show sold out practically in minutes.The film is looking to beat the multiplex collections of Dabangg 2 which collected the highest figures for a non holiday. A chain like PVR collected 2 crore nett for Dabanng 2 on its first day and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani should beat that figure. It is likely to be the same story at all the major chains with the possible exception of Big cinemas due to there big presence in smaller centres.

The single screens are not likely to be anywhere near the figures of Dabangg 2 and that is what will probably hold the film back from taking the biggest non holiday opening day ever.

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A couple of the Delhi and North multiplex chains have set there schedules for the Diwali releases Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Son Of Sardaar and it is 50% split for both films.

The Satyam chain of multiplexes which have good presence in Delhi city with 3 properties have given 10 shows each for the film. Its a similar picture in Ghaziabad where a few multiplexes have set there programming giving equal screen time.

The advance at these theatres for Tuesday was also similar for both films. The choice for the audience has meant that the advance for the films is not like Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger and Ra.One at least as far as North India is concerned.

If we combine the films then you can compare the advance with those films but as single films the advance at multiplexes is less than the big openers of the last year or so. The initial advance of last year’s Diwali release of Ra.One was stronger than either Jab Tak Hai Jaan or Son Of Sardaar. The first day was also always going to be on the lower side due to Diwali Puja and the clash has also ensured that records will also not be broken on the day after Diwali which is traditionally the best day for business in the whole year.

Bollywood’s shocker of a case – an A-list actor taking the legal route to accuse an A-list production house of unfair, monopolistic business practices over a Diwali release – has been decided. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) passed an order in Delhi on Monday night deciding that the practices of Yash Raj Films that were described as unfair and monopolistic by Ajay Devgn Ffilms, were not violative of sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act.

What does that mean? Round one goes to YRF. Ajay Devgn Ffilms had filed a case with the CCI, alleging that YRF had used their dominant position in the market to unfairly corner a large number of single screens for JTHJ, leaving few for SOS. At the time of the release of Ek Tha Tiger, YRF had, in return for supplying ETT, made many single screen theatres sign an agreement that they would only screen JTHJ during Diwali.

But in their order on November 5, the CCI stated they didn’t think this was monopolistic. These are their arguments: They didn’t see how this causes “appreciable adverse effect on Competition in India”. It doesn’t restrict the entry of new players into the market, it doesn’t drive any existing player out of the market, it does not deprive the ultimate consumers, the viewers, of any benefits. The order says single screen theatres took a business decision by signing the agreement – they knew there were going to be other films releasing during Diwali, and they were free not to sign.

If you had forgotten the lengths a fan would go for his/her screen idol, a

Sridevi admirer is setting a new benchmark. Rajan Naidu, a resident of Andheri East, is proudly flaunting a receipt these days. Before you wonder, it’s his receipt for booking an entire screen much before his idol Sridevi’s English Vinglish releases.

Last month, after watching the trailer of the actress’s comeback movie, the fan headed to make to get his tickets even before the advance booking starts early October. And not just a seat for himself, Naidu has booked the entire screen in Maxus theatre for the 7.30 pm show.

There have been tales of fans standing in long queues for hours at a stretch to get tickets for films featuring their favourite stars. But booking an entire screen in advance isn’t something one has heard in quite a while. The theatre, located in Andheri East, has a seating capacity of 290 and Naidu has even paid `5000 as advance payment, which almost entitles him to have a private screening of the movie English Vinglish.

This screening is open for Naidu’s friends and family. His favourite star Sridevi is making a comeback after almost 15 years and Naidu considers it a big occasion to celebrate with near and dear ones. He has even put out an open invitation on his social networking and microblogging profiles for any Sridevi fan to join him at the screening. Till now, a lot of friends and family have confirmed to be present on the ‘D’ day, which means at least 107 seats will definitely be occupied. Continue reading →

Barfi had a strong start at multiplexes all over. The film opened to 80% collections in Delhi city, Kolkata was fantastic with 90% and even Jaipur collections were 70%. Smaller centres like Meerut and Moga also managed excellent collections in the morning shows.

The single screens will open lower but the releases is very limited with just 300 odd single screens with most of the screen space in multiplexes.Continue reading →

Raaz 3 took a good opening of around 50% at multiplexes and 65-70% in single screens on average. The 3D screens recorded better capacity The opening was very good in mass belts like CPCI, Bihar, Rajasthan and Nizam while Mumbai city, Delhi NCR and Punjab recorded lower than 50% occupancies.

The mass belts should ensure a healthy first day total for the film but for a good long run, a pick a up at the bigger circuit multiplexes will be needed. Continue reading →

Bol Bachchan took a good opening at the box office with collections around the 60-65% mark on average at multiplexes. Punjab was below the mark as the Punjabi film Jatt and Juliet is still first choice there, the business in the Andhra area of Nizam circuit was low due to a big regional release Eega in the circuit. West Bengal also opened to low 30-35% collections. The rest of country had a good opening.

Delhi city was around 50-55% while UP was 70-75%. Gujarat, Rajasthan and CI all opened to very good houses at around 75% plus. Its not a record breaking type of opening but a good solid start and a good platform to build from on Saturday as a couple regions are affected by regional films while a few centres opened below the optimum mark.